That is the view of Deloitte Luxembourg and ArtTactic's 2011 Art & Finance Report, which also revealed that 83% of private banks believe there is a strong case for incorporating art and collectibles in wealth management.

The continuing buoyancy of art market prices (up 10.2% worldwide in 2011 according to Mei Moses) is no doubt encouraging many to view art and collectibles in a positive light.

The report also revealed that 48% of art advisers believe their clients are driven chieflyby the potential returns the art market offers them.

Do youhave clients who would enjoy investing in collectibles? Click here for more information on the sector.

13.9% rise for firearm world record

An 1849 Colt set a new $1.14m auction world record

An 1849 Colt pocket revolver set a new $1.14m world record for a single firearm at auction when it sold at Sotheby's New York in January.

The revolver, produced by Samuel Colt in Connecticut circa 1853, surpassed the $977,500 achieved by an 1836 Colt at a US auction in September 2011. Read more on the auction.

New $1.38m world record set for US copper coin

A new record for a US copper coin was set at a US auction last month.

The 1793 Eliasberg Cent, one of just three known specimens of the finest quality, sold for $1.38m.

The coin's 13 links were intended to denote the country's 13 original colonies, but received criticism for their connotations with slavery. Learn more here.

World's rarest airmail stamp beats estimate by 49.5%

A 1925 25c on 10c black stamp, better known as the Black Honduras, sold for $149,500 at a US auction in January 2012, far above its $100,000 estimate.

The only surviving example of the airmail stamp, it last sold in February 1961, when it made $24,500 at a US auction. That's an annual increase of 3.55% pa. Its growth has been assisted by the loss of the only other known example, in a New York taxi or restaurant in 2002. Read more on the historic sale.

Macabre Kennedy cars up 46.6%

John F Kennedy's $176,000 hearse

The hearse that carried President John F Kennedy's body to Air Force One following his assassination in Dallas in 1963, sold for $176,000 at a US auction last month.

The figure is 46.6% above the $120,000 achieved in 2011 for an ambulance of questionable provenance, said to have transported Kennedy's body from Air Force One to the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland.Learn more.

Download your free John F Kennedy Memorabilia Investment Report.

$92,856 record for Alexander Graham Bell signed letter

An 1878 handwritten, signed letter by Alexander Graham Bell, detailing the intricacies of his telephone system to his parents, sold for $92,856 at a US auction last month, 16.07% above its $80,000 high-end estimate.

The letter, containing a drawing ofelectrical connections, marks a new record for Bell correspondence. Previous Bell letters to have appeared at auction have never surpassed $1,800. Learn more here.

Liz Taylor painting doubles $1m estimate

Frans Hals' $2.1m artwork

Frans Hals' 17th century Portrait of a Man, owned by late actress Liz Taylor, sold for $2.1m at Christie's last month, doubling its $1m high-end estimate. Read more on the auction.

Collectors have a further opportunity to own works from Taylor's extensive art collection at Christie's London on February 7 and 8.

13.89% increase for classic car values in 2011

Classic car prices rose 13.89% in 2011 according to the HAGI Top 50 Index, the Historic Auto Group's price index of leading classic cars.

The index also revealed that prices, when Ferrari and Porsche sales were removed, were up 21.65%.

"Long-term trends show that classic cars have historically provided a high degree of capital preservation, with attractive returns," commented Dietrich Hatlapa, the founder of the index.

"Currently the market is undergoing a drive to quality and the advice has to be, buy the best in terms of history, condition, originality and provenance."

British walnut furniture prices up 5% in 12 months

Antique British walnut furniture enjoyed a return to form with dealers and at auctions in 2011, according to the Antique Collectors' Club's Annual Furniture Index.

Following a 7% decline in prices in 2010, walnut bounced back by 5% in 2011.

Early British mahogany pieces were also up 1% in the year. The index, which tracks antique British furniture prices across seven categories, fell by 2% in total.

South Africa market update

Cape Town: Home to a growing number of alternative investors

Wealth: Although South Africa has much work to do to improve the economic conditions of its least fortunate, at the top end the country is booming. This is due in large part to South Africa's world-leading mineral reserves. A Credit Suisse report states that the number of US dollar millionaires in the country will increase by 242% between 2011 and 2016 to 243,000, which is excellent news for the country's alternative investments sector, which relies on ambitious high-net worth individuals.

Art: Prices for South African art increased by 500% between 2000 and 2010, according to Johannesburg auction house Strauss and Co. Artists such as Irma Stern are leading the way. Her Arab Priest sold for 3m at Bonhams in March 2011, a record for a South African artist.

Coins: Prices for South African coins are booming, all over the world. A bronze 1928-SA pattern sovereign sold for $184,000 against a $50,000 estimate at a US auction in January 2012, while an 1892 proof 5 shilling doubled its estimate toachieve $161,000 at the same sale.

Alternative investment news in the press

The Financial Times investigates how investors can capitalise on the booming whisky markets.

The UK's Telegraph newspaper reveals that stamps and classic cars can provide significant annual returns for those with an eye on the future.

Fine wine and art are growing in popularity as alternative investments, according to the Financial Times.

Past issues of Alternative Investment News

Alternative Investment News - January 2012

Alternative Investment News -December 2011

Alternative Investment News - November 2011

Alternative Investment News-October 2011

Alternative Investment News - September 2011

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